The project involves capacity building in rating national buildings on how Green (sustainable they are in terms of water and energy efficiency, occupants well-being, environment and other sustainability features. The process form the local content report which will be used by the GBCSA to licence Zimbabwe to use the Green Star Rating System.
Currently building standards and bylaws do not specifically focus on creating a sustainable environment which promotes occupants wellbeing, productivity and environmentally friendly. Focus is on availability, prices and other factors. The processes in construction are not focused on overall sustainability, as a result there is no emission control thereby placing public overall environment at risk. There is no enforcement on sustainable building standards and management of waste generated.
The Accredited Professionals training will produce professionals who will rate buildings and built environments on how green and sustainable they are. The training will be divided into New Buildings, Existing Buildings, Interiors and Community.
The GBCZW has already lobbied government for the review of the country's building bylaws from design to waste management for gazetting and enforceable legislation. In the medium term to long run there will be improved indoor air quality in building limited or no volatile organic compounds, improved outdoor air quality with no rotting heaps of refuse or all types of waste around cities, planning on building processes to avoid transportation emissions and general education awareness to the public.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
